The Savannah tribune. [volume] (Savannah [Ga.]) 1876-1960, 1887-08-20

clue.
1t was not only natural that Mrs. Will
hams should be interested in the recov-
cry of the property, but that her great
interest should lead her to call at head
quarters to consult with the chief.
In fact, her husband was con-
fined to his room by an attack of
govt, and, for all we knew to the
contrary, it was by his advice that she
came. 1t would appear sharper in me to
say that l suspected something wrong
from the very start, but honesty compels
me to say that I didn't. When she had
departed the chief said to me:
"This looks like a very simple case,
and can't see why Taylor has not
picked up some clue. The robberies
have been perpetrated by some of the
servants, and I'll give you fortnight to
trap the guilty party"
I was at liberty to consult Taylor
The only servants who had access to the
bedroom were the chambermaid and the
butler. This last parsonage had no right
there, of course, but having the run of
the house he could slip into the room.
Taylor had suspected him, rather than
the chambermaid, and had devoted his
whole time to watching the man. Moth
ing but disappointments had turned up.
The butler had the best of recommended
lions, was without vices of any sort, and
a search Of his effects had brought moth
ing to light which could implicate him.
It was agreed that should look out for
the chambermaid and put in a week
on the case to find out that she also had
the best of recommendations, and that
the probabilities were all in her favor.
If it was true that either of the servants
had committed the robberies, it was
likewise true that they had covered their
tracks so well that we had no hopes of
making an arrest. worked on the case
three weeks, and then abandoned it.
Mrs. Williams seemed much more dis
appointed than her husband over my
failure, and she shed tears of vexation
when informed that / was to drop the
case, or at least to cease active work. /
meant to keep the butler and chamber
maid under surveillance for a time
longer, but could not promise that any
thing would come of it.
The third day after this, Fate played
me curious trick. l had dropped into
a family restaurant for plate of oysters,
and not caring to have corners and goers
study my face, l went up stairs to be
served in one of the little rooms or stalls.
I had deyoured my oysters and drunk my
coffee when a lady and gentleman en-
tered the next stall on the right, and it
wasn't ten seconds before / recognized
Mrs. Williams voice. The mans iden-
tity I also soon established by his tones.
He was a handsome, dissipated chap
named Raynor, known in all the clubs as
a great spendthrift, and reported to the
police as a reckless gambler. The pair
were scarcely seated in the stall when
the lady said:
"Will, can do no more for you. I
have robbed myself, stolen from my
husband, and perjured myself to the
officers to help you out of your troubles.
You are no sooner out of one trou-
BILE than you bring another upon your
self"
"softly, sister Nell, softlym chided
the man. 81 have always been kind to
you. l have always been the best
brother in the world. Give me a chance.
l was horribly in debt You have come
to my aid in a grand way, and God will
bless you for it"
"Hush, Will. God cannot bless me
for stealing from my husband to pay
your gambling debts. Do you know
the value Of that package gave you the
night you came and threatened to com
nit suicide3"
"About $12, I believe, and it
helped me out Of three or four bad
scrapes."
"And l thought it was only $500. Oh,
brother, l am afraid you are down to
ruin"
''Pooh! pooh! Nell, I am no worse
than hundreds of others who are sowing